Category: Social Justice

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Red Ochre Theology: Northey Lecture 2021 – on Zoom!

So many wonderful events in Melbourne are now available to us through the option to attend via Zoom!  Pilgrim Theological College is where our ordained and lay people undertake their training for ministry and ongoing professional development and formation in the Uniting Church in Victoria.

“The first Northey Lecture for 2021 will offer the theological viewpoint of an Australian First Nations theologian who has spent the past two decades decolonising biblical narratives and constructing a theology that draws on Australia First Nations creation stories (Ancestral Narratives) and our understanding of the Creator’s actions and interactions through our Spirit Ancestors in the creation of our world, humanity, customs, laws, ceremonies, songs, rituals, connection to land, water and sea; language, cosmology, worldview and philosophy – this being the basis to the formation of First Nations identity, faith and Spirituality.”

Dr. Anne Pattel-Gray is an Aboriginal woman who is a descendant of the Bidjara/ Kari Kari people in Queensland and she is a recognised Aboriginal leader within Australia – nationally and internationally. She has dedicated her life to the struggle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and she is a strong campaigner and lobbyist and deeply committed to seeking justice, equity and equal representation for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people. She is very proud of her Aboriginal culture and heritage and is a strong advocate for Aboriginal women, children, families and community regarding our Cultural and basic Human Rights. She has developed a leadership quality that promotes and builds a deeper sense of community and participation that brings a greater Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and cultural identity and cohesion with the broader community that leads to beneficial partnerships, engagement and reconciliation.

You can read more and register here:

https://pilgrim.edu.au/events/red-ochre-theology-northey-lecture-2021/?fbclid=IwAR14caOANgIxK7q_07yZ3vuiKWX_knWY5bJFNKGe3nkfpefVkZuSDk9mGsU

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Uniting’s Winter Appeal is underway – donate online today!

Uniting VicTas is the welfare arm of the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania.  They recently held their Annual Meeting online – check out the stories of the work being done over the past year by dedicated staff and volunteers – you might even see some familiar faces amongst the presenters.

You can support the ongoing work of Uniting by donating to the Winter Appeal – follow the link to do this online here:

https://www.unitingvictas.org.au/appeal/

Or you can pick up a donation envelope from our table in the foyer at church.

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Uniting World’s Seven Days of Solidarity

Beginning April 18th, Seven Days of Solidarity is inspired by the work of our partner churches, celebrating where the risen Christ is at work changing lives.  

Celebrating the good things God is doing seems important after a year of strain and struggle to adapt to a pandemic that is still the source of pain for millions of people.

COVID-19 continues to make life so incredibly difficult for our partners, but through it all, God is faithful.  Their incredible lives remind us that we’re surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who keep the faith, and giving up is not an option.  

UnitingWorld holds these partnerships on behalf of the people of the Uniting Church, and we wanted to take the opportunity to share some of their stories and inspire you in faith and action.  

In the weeks immediately after Easter, when we celebrate resurrection life and the birth of the Church, this is an opportunity to bear witness to where the risen Christ is at work.  Join us to celebrate our partners, give thanks, and share resources to keep this mission alive.

Booklets containing the stories and devotions are now available to pick up from the church foyer, along with donation envelopes.  You can also find them online here:

https://donate.unitingworld.org.au/7dos

Lent Event Update

https://donate.unitingworld.org.au/fundraiser/stlukesunitingchurchhighton

Friends, this year we took our fundraising online for Lent Event.  We set up a St Luke’s Team Page, which raised $255 of our $3000 goal from 3 donors and 1 team member.  This is less than St Luke’s has raised for Uniting World than in past years.  If you missed the chance to donate, please consider donation through the Seven Days of Solidarity campaign instead.  Our Partners in the Pacific very much need our support.

 

 

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March 11th at 11am – Ringing the St Luke’s Bell for Climate Justice

Sacred People, Sacred Earth:  Please join us at 11am on  March 11 to ring the St Luke’s bells and say a prayer as part of a global multi-faith day of call to action and prayer regarding climate change.
 
 
All over the world people are standing together to say:
 
“We are united by a fundamental belief that all people, all living things, and the Earth are sacred.  As we consider the state of the world today, our hearts overflow with concern.  
 
We are frightened and frustrated by the damage that COVID-19 is inflicting on our communities. The pandemic has revealed cruel injustices. The vulnerable suffer the most severe impacts. We know about this injustice. We have seen it before.
 
These same communities are disproportionately and catastrophically affected by the accelerating climate emergency.
 
… A far better future is possible if our collective response to the pandemic and the climate crisis is guided by compassion, love and justice at a scale that meets this moment.”
       

In support of the statement and to draw attention to it, faith communities around the world are being asked to ‘sound the alarm’ for the climate and call for climate justice as we try to get our economies going in the wake of COVID.

Please join the biggest ever global faith-based Day of Action for the Climate. The theme of of the day is Sacred People, Sacred Earth.

Each place of worship, faith-based small group or household will choose its own way to do this: by ringing its bells, by sounding a note on the shofar, calling the Azan, by chanting and by meditating. Just as long as make a noise – or even some thunderous silence!  We each have our own traditions, but we will be united in one clear message.

After the Day of Action, GFI will call for  a “Year of Action” in the lead-up to COP26 which will be held in Glasgow in November 2021. 

We hope you can join us!

Michelle, for the Environment Action Team

#SacredPeopleSacredEarth
#Faiths4Climate

#KillingThePlanetIsAgainstMyReligion

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Lenten Reflection Opportunities

In all of the change that happens around us, one of the constant aspects of our faith journey at St Luke’s is the annual cycle of the liturgical calendar, marking the seasons of Jesus’ journey on earth.

Tomorrow we commence the period of Lent – 40 days of reflection and sacrifice as we imagine the time spent by Jesus in the desert, grappling with fears and temptations.

If you are looking for some resources to use as part of your devotional time during Lent, here are some suggestions:

Common Grace

Every year at Easter, Common Grace brings a Lent series based on the central teachings of Jesus. In 2021 they’ve put together a compilation series from Christian teachers, who show us what it looks like when justice overflows from following Jesus.

To sign up to their weekly Lenten emails, click here.

Uniting World’s Lent Event

UnitingWorld is the part of the Uniting Church with the privilege of nurturing relationships with our global church family, and we love the season of Lent! Through Lent Event, we provide a Bible Study series to help you think through what it means to be a global neighbour, and encourage you to take action with a 40-day challenge to give or take up something that helps make the world a better place. With stories that show how your prayers and gifts are building hope and ending poverty around the world, we aim to cultivate generosity, compassion and awareness of others.

If you’re ready to take a new look at Lent, go for a deep dive online to find resources, and check out www.lentevent.com.au for simple ways to get involved.

 

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Worship – Sunday 24 January – Day of Mourning – Aboriginal Sunday

The Sunday Service at St Luke’s Highton will be at 10am and we hope to Livestream to our Youtube channel
 
This is the Sunday (before Australia Day) where we join with our sister churches in a Day of Mourning to reflect on how God is calling us to respond to the ongoing challenges faced by our First Australians – the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
 
We’ll be using the Uniting Church Assembly resources, with more from Common Grace who have provided resources to churches and faith groups around Australia to share in Aboriginal Sunday.
The Preamble to the Constition of the UCA helps set our approach to relationships between First and Second Australians.
 
There is also a prayer service of reconciliation on Monday night (25th Jan) at 7:30pm – Victorian time – led by Aunty Jean Phillips – see www.commongrace.org.au/tunein  Some of us may gather at St Luke’s to participate.
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Worship Online Sunday 6th of December – Advent 2: Hope

St Luke’s Nativity – photo by Abigail Hodge McAvaney

Dear Friends,

This is the last in the current series of services specifically produced for watching online.

On December 13th we resume in person Sunday worship … go here for details … but we will be continuing to provide access to worship from St Luke’s online … so if online is your preferred way of receiving ministry do not despair!

This week is the second Sunday in Advent.

Advent is far more than a time of preparation for the celebration of Christmas.  The themes of the Bible readings for each of the four weeks of Advent challenge us to live the faith now as we await in hope the coming of Christ.

Today our theme is peace …

The Candle of Peace

This week we light a candle to remind us of the peace we find in Christ. Peace that is far more than an absence of conflict. Peace in our hearts, Peace with God and others, Peace in our relationships, Peace in the world.

Christ our Lord, you are our light, and you fill us with peace.

As we light our Advent candles today, guide us to be peacemakers in all that we do.

Help us to strive to be healers of relationships,

May we see your face in the face of others,

We pray in your name,

Amen

Here is this week’s worship service:

Christmas Bowl

 

What does peace look like for the Rohingya people? After fleeing violence in Myanmar, they now face the threat of a deadly COVID-19 outbreak in Jamtoli refugee camp in Bangladesh.

Life in the world’s largest refugee camp was already tough. Families live in cramped conditions, in makeshift tents that can get swept away in the monsoon rains. With food, water and soap in short supply, sickness is rife. Now COVID-19 has reached the camp. There is widespread misinformation about the virus that is making it harder for doctors to stop a catastrophic outbreak. Act for Peace’s local partner is working with doctors, community workers and Rohingya religious leaders to dispel myths around the virus and teaching people how to stop it from spreading.

Your gift this Christmas Bowl will help give refugees in different parts of the world the long-term support they need to build safe, peaceful futures.

https://youtu.be/4GwlGbXqMqg

Donate to the Christmas Bowl here: https://christmasbowl.actforpeace.org.au/donate

Lloyd also found a thought provoking video series produced by the Springwood Uniting Church – “The Rona Grinch” – find the episode on peace here:

And to round things off for this week, the Corner Uniting Church published this video made by young people in South Australia:

https://youtu.be/F_5imPbawXs

Friends,

God offers us peace in our hearts and souls … And this has been done through Christ and at great cost.  Through the cross of Christ, God deals with the brokenness within us, assures us that sins are forgiven, and  makes clear how valued each of us is by God.

 

And God calls us to the path of peace in our relationships with others … this by the way does not mean allowing others to walk all over us … but it does mean seeking to bring a spirit of concord in our relationship with others and within communities of which we are a part.

 

​ I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.

 

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Justice calendar 2021

The Justice and International Mission Cluster’s 2021 Social Justice Calendar is now available. It includes significant dates, such as NAIDOC Week, Refugee Week and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Find it here:

Social Justice Calendar 2021

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NAIDOC week reflection

Leprena Centre  Manager Alison Overeem has written a poetic reflection for NAIDOC Week, which starts on Sunday. This year, the theme is Always Was, Always Will Be in recognition that First Nations people have occupied and cared for Australia for more than 65,000 years. Alison asks that we learn the history of First Peoples and hear and honour their stories. “It’s in knowing this connection to Land, through this lens of discernment the true lessons are learned. Honour the land and the stories sitting within Country wherever you may be. May our Churches and agencies discern, for it is in Nature’s classroom that we truly learn.”

NAIDOC Week 2020 reflection